6x WW2 ORIGINAL GERMAN PHOTOS WEHRMACHT TURKISTAN TURKESTAN VOLUNTEERS OSTVOLKER
THIS IS A LOT OF 6 GUARANTEED ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF THE 1000TH TURKISTANI BATTATION OF THE TURKESTAN LEGION OF GERMAN ARMY (WEHRMACHT). SIZE 8,5 X 6 CM. RARE AND UNIQUE ITEMS OF HISTORY.
Turkistanische Legion was the name for the military units composed of the Turkic peoples. Who served in the Wehrmacht. Most of these troops were Red Army. Who formed a common cause with the Germans cf. Turkic, Caucasian, Cossack, and Crimean collaborationism with the Axis powers.
Its establishment was spearheaded by Nuri Killigil. A Turkish theorist of Pan-Turkism. Which sought to separate territories inhabited by Turkic peoples from their countries and eventually unite them under Turkish rule. Although Turkic peoples had been perceived initially as racially inferior. By the Nazis, this attitude officially already changed in autumn 1941, when, in view of the difficulties faced in their invasion of the Soviet Union.
The Nazis attempted to harness the nationalist sentiment of Turkic peoples. The first Turkestan Legion was mobilized in May 1942, originally consisting of only one battalion but expanded to 16 battalions and 16,000 soldiers by 1943. Under the Wehrmacht's command, these units were deployed exclusively on the Western Front. In France and Italy, isolating them from contact with the Red Army.
The battalions of the Turkestan Legion formed part of the 162nd Infantry Division. And saw much action in Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. (especially modern-day Croatia) and Italy. A large portion of the Turkestan Legion was captured by Allied forces and repatriated into the Soviet Union.
After the war's end, where they would face execution or incarceration by the Soviet government for having collaborated with the Nazis. Notable members of the legion include Baymirza Hayit.
Who after the war settled in West Germany. And became an advocate for Pan-Turkist political causes. This item is in the category "Collectables\Militaria\World War II (1939-1945)\Photographs". The seller is "eduard_abraham" and is located in this country: GB.
This item can be shipped worldwide.- Type: Photographs
- Era: 1914-1945
- Conflict: World War II (1939-1945)
- Country/ Organization: Germany
- Service: Army
- Theme: Militaria